Paul,
Everyone on the list has their favorite tires, but 14 inch tires with
suitable performance are becomming rare, which makes a choice fairly easy.
Punching in 185X60X14 on the tire rack site, for ultra high performance
summer (one step below max performance) and ultra high performance all
season, and you only get two choices:
Bridgestone Potenza RE 960AS
Yokohama AVS ES 100
Figureing that you probably dont drive in the snow, and probably not even
too much in the rain, and after reviewing the buyer feedback on both of
these, I would pick the Yokos.
$72 each plus shipping. They have a cool tread pattern also, and the rim
protector will help preserve the vintage libra wheels.
There are any number of touring tires out there in this size, but the Yokos
will be a good deal more fun in the corners, while still being comfortable
and giving you reasonable wear.
As far as the other posts, regarding SAMs, Sears, etc, they have a point,
one stop shopping is easy.
It is not likely they will be able to match the price for this exact tire
though, if they have this tire, even with shipping. Shop arround and see.
Tire rack has always had my tires on my porch in one or two days, and the
repair shop down the road that I trust with my special cars is happy to
mount, spin balance, and install a new valve stem for $15, as well as
dispose of the old tire.
Best Regards,
Jim
>From: pjmill@sonic.net
>Reply-To: pjmill@sonic.net
>To: "Jim InVirginia" <nqrithfordatsun@msn.com>
>CC: datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
>Subject: Re: Wheel size help, please?: And now for some tires
>Date: Fri, 24 Nov 2006 10:31:05 -0800 (PST)
>
>Wow! Thanks for the thoughtful answer! I'm thinking seriously about
>those Flakens. This car isn't going to be a racer, strictly street
>though. What you would recommend in that case? I'm leaning toward the
>185x60s.
>
>Thoughts?
>
> > Paul,
> > The wheels are period correct, and look cool! The 5.5 width will take a
> > 185X60 or 195X60 or 195X55 tire just fine. If you go over big bumps you
> > might get some minor rubbing up inside the rear wheel wells with the 195
> > tires but I would not worry too much about that.
> >
> > The type of tire depends on how much you drive and how fast you want to
>go
> > around corners and how many bumps you want to feel on the road. (and how
> > much you want to spend).
> >
> > On my 1967 pushrod 2L, I have the 5.5X14 Libras (mine are made by shelby
> > american, and were originally on a Z car). I have 195X60 Falkin Azinis
> > tires. These are acceptable for the street, and very sticky, sticky
> > enough
> > to do very well on the autocross course without having to take an extra
> > set
> > of race tires there. I think they are only about a second slower than a
> > DOT
> > race tire. They also have a aggressie and head turning tread pattern.
>I
> > have driven them in rain, and they work fine in rain, just dont drive
>fast
> > thru any puddles. I think they will last about 5 or 10 K miles, which
>is
> > just fine for a car I drive about 2K per year. They are also cheap.
> > Google
> > Vulcan Tire in Pa....they seem like reliable and honest folks. Tire
>rack
> > does not carry Falkin. If you dont need to go that fast around corners,
> > and
> > want a smoother ride and more tread life, just dial up the size above
>and
> > cruise around in the tire rack site, reading the reader comments, until
> > you
> > find something that fits your style and needs....or at least that is my
> > two
> > cents on this subject.
> >
> > Oh yea...with the wide modern radial tires, you will get a lot more grip
> > out
> > of them if you re-align the front end for a little neg camber and
>minimum
> > toe in. I use a "touch" of toe in, and one degree neg camber. A good
> > compromise for turn in Vs tire wear.
> >
> > Best Regards,
> > Jim
> > Chesapeake, Virginia
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